Updated 10:00 pm, Monday, July 30, 2001

Patterson, a restricted free agent whose relationship with the Sonics was irreparably damaged when he entered a modified guilty plea in May on a third-degree attempted rape charge, signed with the Blazers for the $4.538 million mid-level exception.

The Sonics had 15 days to mull their options, but announced yesterday they won't match the Blazers' offer or seek a sign-and-trade deal in order to receive a player in return. They also announced they had waived forward Ruben Wolkowyski.

Instead, the Sonics will focus on what has proven to be a lukewarm free-agent market because of the number of teams hamstrung by a desire to avoid paying a luxury tax for exceeding the salary cap.

"We wanted to be in control of the Sonics' destiny and we were," Sonics general manager Rick Sund said. "When we looked at it we said, 'Let's use the cap space and not match.' The timing is pretty good."

The Sonics, who also discussed sign-and-trade deals for Patterson with Cleveland and Dallas, have slightly more than $5 million with which to pursue a center, most likely Dallas' Calvin Booth or Golden State's Marc Jackson, both restricted free agents.

"We can sign that person over the mid-level exception just by one dollar and (the other team) can't match," Sund said. "This gives us a trump card."

Patterson, who turned 26 today, had his best season as a pro last year, finishing third on the team with 13.0 points per game. He added 5.0 rebounds in 27.1 minutes per game.

Patterson fell out of favor after two seasons in Seattle because of two off-court incidents. In June 2000, he was convicted of misdemeanor assault after breaking a man's jaw outside a Cleveland nightclub.

On May 15, Patterson, who is married, entered an Alford plea on charges he forced his children's nanny to perform oral sex. Patterson claimed the sex was consensual, but by entering the modified plea, he acknowledged a jury might find him guilty.

He recently completed a 15-day home detention sentence in Cleveland. If he had remained in Washington, he would have been required to register as a sex offender. Patterson still faces a civil suit filed by the nanny.

Before Patterson was sentenced, Sonics owner Howard Schultz issued a statement that set the stage for Patterson's departure.

"I'm quite concerned about Ruben's future with the team," Schultz said May 8. "The fact that the word 'rape' has been used to describe what happened violates the essence of character I think is absolutely needed in professional sports."

Sund said Patterson's departure gives him "a clean slate." Sund wouldn't speculate whether the Sonics would have sought to retain Patterson if charges hadn't been filed.

"I don't answer hypotheticals," Sund said. "I think this is a good opportunity for Ruben. He gets a fresh start. He doesn't have to live with all the questions that would be asked to him and haunting him as long as he lives in the state of Washington. I look at this as a win-win situation."